Stress is a part of life for all of us, but it doesn’t have to be debilitating or damaging to mind or body.  Stress that is managed in healthy ways can be the force that pushes us toward growth and achieving our dreams.  On the other hand, unhealthy stress responses can lead to physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that feel bad, wear us down, and take all the joy out of living.  (Read more about that here.) While there are as many ways to relax and recharge as there are advice-givers, (including baths, sleeping, breathing, massage, sensory stimulation, friends, hobbies, pets ..read more

GoodTherapy has a very informative article about stress, some of its symptoms and effects, and ways to manage them.  They mention the “fight or flight” response, which involves physical and mental changes, but recent research has suggested that there may be five or even as many as eight responses to stress, all starting with “f,” including fight, flight, freeze, fawn, “fine,” faint, flop, and friend. Some on that list seem like variations of others, but all are possible responses (along with others that don’t rhyme or start with f), and it can be useful to understand what they mean and ho ..read more

Would you like to make a positive impact in someone’s life but think it would probably take months, even years to bring that about?  Well, surprise!  Research has shown that as little as 30 seconds of kindness and compassion can actually change lives.   Most people don’t think much about the random acts of kindness they may do now and then – such small gestures cost little to nothing in time and money, but they bring joy to the ones who receive them, strengthening relationships and improving wellbeing.  And they’re also contagious – stop to let someone in front of you in tr ..read more

The process of therapy uses multiple methods, depending on individual needs and situations.  Working with a therapist can help reduce or eliminate your anxiety through a variety of effective approaches, including these:  Understanding Causes   When people recognize and understand factors that contribute to their anxiety, they can work towards managing and even eliminating them.  Therapy helps you gain insight into the root causes of your anxiety, giving you back control over your life.  Building Coping Skills and Strategies   Therapy provides a safe and supportive ..read more

Have you ever noticed yourself feeling uncomfortable around some people or in some places when you’d been fine before that? Nothing major, just a queasiness in your stomach, maybe a pain in your back or tightness in your throat, or a sense of irritation, or gloom, or drained energy? Pay attention – that’s your intuitive sense telling you something not good for you is going on!  Your explaining mind will probably find ways to dismiss it or rationalize those feelings as something you ate or the fight you had with your bf/gf, or tell you to just get over it already, but if you listen to the ..read more

This poem speaks to me of what it’s like to be real, to know yourself, to live authentically and to like who you are, regardless of what’s happening around you. I invite you to get comfortable and read it through, considering whether these are things you’d like to develop and work toward together. by Oriah Mountain Dreamer   It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.  I want to know  what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. It doesn’t interest me  how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love for your ..read more